Threads of Misfortune

by AidenJacksonSmithDSBB

Akito Hoshizora had pretty bad luck in general, he had accepted that as a fact however when he transferred to Chiba Academy for some reason his bad luck decided to ramp up for no reason. Also, what's this mark on his shoulder and why is it glowing? This story mainly won't be told from the OC's PoV but from those surrounding him with a few parts on him.

14. Chapter 14 - The Eye of the Storm

Unknown Location Soukai City - 0700 Hours
A cold sea breeze rolled inland as Ruby Akaishi and Noelle Winter made their way up the narrow, slightly worn path leading to a small coastal cottage near Soukai City. The scent of saltwater mixed with the crisp winter air, and the rhythmic crash of waves against the rocky shore provided a steady background to their conversation.

Ruby, as animated as ever, walked a step ahead, gesturing enthusiastically with her hands as she rattled off details about her latest project.

"So, picture this," she said, her red ponytail bouncing as she turned to Noelle. "We've got unmanned drones—small, agile, perfect for Valkyrie supply deliveries in active combat zones. No more worrying about getting cut off from reinforcements or running dry on ammo. Plus, I've been tweaking a few models to handle light arms fire, all the way up to Templar-class payloads."

Noelle, her expression a mask of calm attentiveness, adjusted her scarf against the cold. Her long, platinum-blonde hair barely moved in the breeze, kept neatly in place by precision and habit. "You mean Templar as in high-caliber suppression fire? Or Templar as in 'this thing can drop an entire building if given the right ordinance'?" she asked, arching a brow.

Ruby's grin widened. "Yes."

A brief pause.

Noelle sighed. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Because you know me," Ruby shot back with a smirk. "And because we both know that 'restraint' isn't exactly in my vocabulary when it comes to tech."

The two continued their approach, the cottage now fully visible—a modest yet sturdy structure, its exterior showing signs of wear but still well-maintained. A single light shone through the window, casting a warm glow against the evening chill.

Noelle glanced at it before giving Ruby a sidelong look. "Are you sure he's even home?"

Ruby scoffed, waving off the concern. "Please. Even if he wasn't, I have a feeling he knew we were coming the second we set foot within a kilometer of this place."

She knocked twice on the wooden door, stepping back with a grin. "Let's see if our dear ghost has time for visitors."

The rhythmic knocking on the door echoed briefly before the wooden frame swung open—not by human hands, but seemingly by sheer force of chaotic inevitability.

With a sharp hiss, a small rocket shot out from inside the house, streaking past them in a blur. Neither woman flinched. With the casual grace of people who had seen this sort of thing far too many times, they took a synchronized step to the left, letting the projectile harmlessly sail past them before exploding somewhere in the distance with a muffled thud.

Noelle sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Ruby, on the other hand, was already grinning like a child on Christmas morning. "Oh, hell yes—he's home."

Without hesitation, she bolted through the open doorway, her red ponytail trailing behind her. A moment later, there was a dull oof followed by a long-suffering groan.

Noelle stepped in after her, closing the door behind her as she took in the familiar sight.

The interior of the cottage was simple, almost spartan in design, but well-lived-in. Various mechanical components and blueprints were strewn across a cluttered workbench, half-assembled projects peeking out from the organized chaos. Against the far wall, a well-worn couch sat beside a stack of books and old tech manuals, while the faint scent of coffee and gun oil lingered in the air.

In the center of it all, standing like an exasperated guardian to this carefully controlled madness, was the owner of the cottage.

A tall Polish man dressed in his usual monochrome attire—black long-sleeved undershirt, white vest, dark combat trousers—he radiated equal parts quiet patience and exhausted resignation. His sharp features, framed by short, silver-streaked hair, were currently twisted into mild discomfort as Ruby clung to him like an overenthusiastic koala, excitedly rambling about her latest drone developments.

With a slow, reluctant motion, he reached up and lightly patted her head, his expression caught between amusement and defeat.

Noelle, watching from the side, couldn't help but smirk as she finally spoke.

"Hello, Penguin," she greeted, deliberately emphasizing the nickname. A small note of satisfaction crept into her voice as she added, "It's nice to see you again."

For once, she was not the one being glomped.

A small, resigned sigh left the man's lips as he briefly closed his eyes. "…Winter," he acknowledged, his voice smooth yet carrying the unmistakable weight of someone who had long since stopped resisting the chaos surrounding him.

Meanwhile, Ruby was still happily nuzzling against his chest, completely oblivious to his suffering.

Noelle simply crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement.

The trio moved further into the cottage, the scent of freshly brewed coffee growing stronger as they settled into the small but comfortable living space.

Ruby, still radiating excitement, continued her enthusiastic rundown of her latest developments. Her words tumbled out rapidly, hands gesturing as she detailed the finer points of her unmanned drones—one designed for Valkyrie deliveries, another for small-arms support up to Templar-level units.

Through it all, Penguin listened in silence, arms crossed as he absorbed every detail with the same measured patience he always had. Occasionally, he interjected—not to derail her momentum but to challenge her on the finer technical aspects.

"The new propulsion system—how's the heat output?"

"Calibration's improved. Still testing durability under prolonged engagements, but the overheating issues are mostly solved."

"Hm." He nodded. "What about resource optimization? The last iteration was too expensive for mass production."

"I streamlined the process!" Ruby grinned, eyes shining. "Still pricey, but way better than the prototypes. We just need—"

She suddenly paused, blinking in mild confusion as Penguin raised a finger, signaling her to stop.

He tilted his head slightly, as if recalling something, before turning to face them fully.

"Stoat finished her mission," he said simply. "She's available to meet up for the New Year events."

For a brief moment, the room fell into silence.

Then—

"YES!" Ruby practically exploded, throwing both fists into the air. "Finally! I was this close to hacking into her comms to drag her back myself."

Noelle, who had been content to observe up until now, allowed a small, satisfied smile to form at the news. While she wasn't as outwardly expressive as Ruby, the subtle way her shoulders relaxed and her gaze softened spoke volumes.

Penguin, ever composed, merely exhaled through his nose in amusement.

"I'll let her know we're expecting her."

As he turned toward his console, Ruby was already bouncing on her feet, rattling off ideas for how they'd spend the evening. Noelle just leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement.

New Year's Eve was shaping up to be more interesting than expected.

-O-

Raiden Estate: Nagazora - 0830 Hours

THWACK!

The sharp crack of the shinai striking flesh echoed through the dojo.

"First Point, Me," Akito announced.

Akito stepped back smoothly, his breathing even and unhurried. Across from him, Mei stood panting, her flushed face glistening with sweat as she adjusted her stance. Her grip on the shinai tightened, determination flickering in her eyes despite her exhaustion.

From the sidelines, Haruto, Kiana, and Airi winced in sympathy, watching Mei struggle against their unnervingly composed friend.

Mei exhaled heavily and shot Akito a look that was just shy of a glare. "Remind me how this is helping again?" she asked between breaths, gratefully accepting a bottle of water from Airi. Her eyes flicked to Akito, who—much to her growing frustration—didn't even look remotely winded.

Akito sighed, rolling his shoulders. "I can't teach you much—I only know the basics of kendo and its rules. But what I can do is test your reflexes," he explained. He took a step back, tilting his head slightly. "Besides, once you get better at reacting, you'll get to face Misako. And for the record, she's far better than me."

Mei's expression soured at the mention of Kiana's guardian. Misako had an intensity that made sparring with Akito look like light work.

"Come on," Akito continued, giving a slight tilt of his chin toward the open training area. "Two more rounds, and we're done for the morning."

Mei sighed deeply, but despite her exhaustion, she adjusted her stance, steeling herself for another round.

On the sidelines, Haruto leaned toward Airi, whispering, "Are we sure Akito's not just bullying Mei at this point?"

Airi crossed her arms, watching the match with a half-smirk. "Oh, he definitely is. But it's working, so..."

Meanwhile, Kiana was bouncing on her heels, fists clenched as she cheered Mei on. "Come on, Mei! Wipe that smug look off his face!"

Akito, of course, had no such look—but that didn't stop Kiana from imagining it.

With one final deep breath, Mei readied herself.

"Again," Akito said calmly, raising his shinai.

And with that, the match resumed.

A couple more THWACKS later, Mei was ready to collapse on the floor.

Reasonably so, considering the morning had started with Akito waking her up at the break of dawn with nothing but a cold splash of water to the face. (Somehow, he had once again managed to get into her estate. How he did it? Mei had long since given up trying to figure it out.)

Before she could even properly process being awake, he had dragged her out of bed, straight to her family's dojo, and—with that same infuriatingly neutral tone—told her, "You're going to be training your stamina and reflexes."

Then, without so much as a warning, he began to whale on her.

This had gone on for two hours.

By the time the rest of the group arrived, Mei was drenched in sweat, her limbs heavy, and her mind questioning every single life choice that had led to this moment.

Haruto and Kiana, upon witnessing the state of their friend, immediately tried to appeal to Akito's nonexistent sense of mercy.

"Come on, man, it's New Year's Eve," Haruto said, hands clasped together in an exaggerated plea.

"Yeah! Let her live a little!" Kiana added, arms spread wide as if trying to shield Mei from further assault.

Akito merely stepped back, turning his gaze onto them with a lazy expression. Then, in one smooth motion, he lifted his shinai and tilted it toward them.

"You want a turn?"

Kiana and Haruto promptly shut up, eyes darting away as they suddenly found the walls of the dojo very interesting.

Akito simply nodded, as if he had expected as much, before turning his attention back to Mei. To her credit, she hadn't collapsed—yet. But she was close.

Mei, for her part, had plenty of choice words for Akito's so-called training methods, but... she couldn't quite bring herself to voice them.

Because deep down, she knew he was genuinely trying to help.

Socially inept as he was, this was one of the few ways Akito knew how to express himself. He didn't just say he wanted to help—he did it, even if his methods were questionable at best and mildly sadistic at worst.

With an exhausted sigh, Mei rolled her shoulders, wincing slightly.

"Alright, alright," she muttered. "Two more rounds, and that's it."

Akito gave a small nod. "Deal."

Haruto, watching from the side, let out a dramatic groan. "She's already fallen for the conditioning, man..."

Kiana patted him on the shoulder. "Rest in peace, Mei. You had a good run."

Mei merely shot them a glare before gripping her shinai once more.

"Again," Akito instructed, lifting his weapon.

And so, the suffering continued.

-O-

Later, while Mei was freshening up, the rest of the group sat down at her family's dinner table.

In the kitchen, Akito was busy cooking—not by choice, of course. He had been bullied into it by the rest of the group, much to his exasperation.

As the scent of sizzling ingredients filled the air, Haruto, Airi, and Kiana sat together, engaged in a conversation about Akito's training methods—or, as Kiana put it, creative torture.

Midway through, Airi suddenly turned to Haruto, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.

"Hey... did you notice how Akito moved?"

Haruto blinked, then frowned. "Yeah... thought I was the only one who caught that."

Kiana, looking between the two in confusion, tilted her head. "What do you mean? What happened?"

Haruto and Airi exchanged a glance before Airi took the lead.

"Kiana, we're photographers. We have to be observant when we're taking pictures—it's part of the job. That means noticing small details, even the ones most people don't think about."

She paused, letting Haruto pick up the thread.

"And Akito's movements... they're weird."

Kiana followed Haruto's vague gesture toward the kitchen, where Akito was fully in the zone, effortlessly preparing the food with smooth, practiced motions.

"He moves like..." Haruto trailed off, struggling to find the right words.

Airi finished for him. "Like he's in chains."

Kiana blinked. "Huh?"

"Not literal chains," Airi clarified. "But you can see it. It's like... something is suppressing his movement—not enough to completely stop him, but just enough to slow him down."

Kiana furrowed her brows. "Wait... so he was holding back on Mei-senpai?"

Haruto gave a vague half-half gesture. "Not exactly holding back, but more like... he was trained to never throw a full punch. Like his body won't let him use his full abilities, even if he wanted to."

Airi nodded. "And there are traces of another style, too. You probably didn't catch it, but sometimes, in the middle of his sparring with Mei, he would start to make these micro-adjustments—tiny movements, like he was shifting into something else—only for his body to self-correct a second later, snapping back into form."

As Haruto and Airi spoke, flashes of Akito and Mei's earlier spars replayed in Kiana's mind—Mei's attacks, Akito's effortless dodges, the way he'd sometimes start a movement, only to subtly change it at the last second.

Now that she thought about it...

It was strange.

Kiana frowned, her gaze drifting back toward the kitchen.

'Just what kind of training did Akito go through?'

Kiana frowned, crossing her arms as she processed the information. "So, what you're saying is... Akito can move faster, hit harder—but something is stopping him?"

"Not something," Airi corrected, tapping a finger against the table. "Someone."

Haruto nodded, glancing toward the kitchen where Akito was still moving with calculated efficiency. "Yeah. This kind of thing doesn't just happen naturally. He was taught to restrain himself, probably from a really young age."

Kiana exhaled through her nose, frustrated. "That's messed up."

Airi hummed, leaning back in her chair. "It is. But it also makes sense, doesn't it? You've noticed how Akito never really gets into fights unless he has to. And even when he does..."

"He ends them before they even begin," Haruto finished.

A moment of silence fell over them as they each recalled the few times they had actually seen Akito fight—how he always moved precisely, efficiently, and never wasted a single motion.

How he never truly seemed bothered by injuries.

How he never let himself go all out.

Kiana scowled. "This just makes me want to punch whoever did this to him."

Airi smirked. "Get in line."

Haruto sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't think we're going to get any answers out of him. You know how he is."

"Yeah," Kiana muttered, still watching Akito as he worked. "Cryptic as hell."

Kiana crossed her arms, a pensive frown settling on her face. "If that's the case... what happens when those chains come off?"

The question lingered in the air, unanswered.

As if on cue, Akito glanced over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "You're all staring."

Kiana immediately sat up. "We're talking about how terrible your training methods are, obviously."

Akito snorted. "That so?"

"Yep. Mei-senpai almost collapsed, y'know?"

"She did well," Akito replied simply, turning back to the stove.

Haruto and Airi shared a look, silently acknowledging that now was probably not the best time to bring up what they'd noticed.

For now, they'd just keep watching.

And maybe—just maybe—they'd figure out how to break those invisible chains.

Mei stepped into the room, now refreshed and dressed in a beautiful midnight-blue kimono adorned with silver embroidery in the shape of delicate cherry blossoms. The sleeves were slightly longer than usual, flowing elegantly as she moved, and the obi tied around her waist was a soft silver with a subtle geometric pattern. The outfit, a gift from her father nearly six months ago, fit her perfectly, emphasizing her grace while still allowing for ease of movement. Her long dark hair was neatly combed, tied in a low ponytail with a decorative silver hairpin shaped like a crescent moon.

By the time she sat down, Akito had already set the food on the table. Without wasting a second, Mei grabbed her chopsticks and hungrily dug in, quickly matching Kiana's speed as the two competed to see who could eat the fastest. The others watched in a mix of amusement and exasperation, already accustomed to their antics.

After about ten minutes, with everyone finishing their food, Akito silently stood and began clearing the dishes. As he washed, Mei, still recovering from her earlier training, turned to her friends with an exhausted yet incredulous expression.

"You guys have no idea how my morning went. I was asleep, peacefully dreaming, and then bam—ice-cold water to the face!" she ranted, gesturing dramatically. "And then he dragged me out of bed—in my freaking pajamas—and almost forced me to train like that! Only then did he pause long enough for me to change before throwing me into a two-hour sparring session from hell."

Haruto snickered, turning to Akito, who had just stepped out of the kitchen while drying his hands with a towel. "Dude, you almost made Mei train in her PJs? That's brutal," he teased.

Akito blinked at him before replying in a flat, matter-of-fact tone, "That's how I was trained."

Silence.

The entire group froze, confusion evident on their faces as they processed his words.

Then, Kiana suddenly yelled, "WHO THE HELL TAUGHT YOU LIKE THAT?!"

Akito, completely unfazed by her outburst, met her gaze with a bland expression. "My caretaker."

Before they could press for more details, he effortlessly pivoted the conversation. "Are we heading out now?"

Kiana and Haruto immediately sprinted ahead, yelling at him to not change the subject.

Meanwhile, Mei and Airi lingered behind, exchanging glances before sighing in unison.

"Typical," Airi muttered.

Mei shook her head, crossing her arms. "One day, we're forcing that guy to sit down and explain everything."

Airi snorted. "Good luck with that."

-O-

Unknown Location: Bubble Universe - Time 1130 Hours

Seele awoke to the sensation of someone repeatedly poking her cheek. Groaning softly, she turned her head, feeling something coarse and rough brushing against her skin.

(Hey, idiot, are you not seeing what's wrong with this picture?)

Her other self's voice snapped her to full awareness, and Seele's eyes shot open—only to immediately get a mouthful of sand.

Coughing and spluttering, she sat up, trying to rid herself of the gritty texture coating her tongue. As she caught her breath, she froze. She wasn't alone.

A boy, likely around her age or younger, stood a short distance away. His attire was loose-fitting and light-colored, suitable for the heat, and his head was completely covered with a desert cap and goggles. His faintly tanned skin was visible beneath the fabric, but most of his features remained obscured.

"U-um… sorry, who are you?" Seele asked hesitantly, her voice hoarse from the dryness in the air.

The boy raised an eyebrow before responding, his voice casual but blunt. "Was about to ask you that, considering you're not dressed for the desert. Honestly, I half expected you to be dead with how pale you are."

Seele blinked before glancing down at herself—her usual outfit of a white and blue button-up shirt, black skirt, and white stockings stood in stark contrast to the endless sand dunes surrounding her. Before she could fully process his words, the boy continued.

"Seriously, don't you know it's close to midday? You'll get fried alive in this heat."

Midday? Seele wiped the sweat forming on her forehead, finally registering the sheer intensity of the sun overhead. Her throat felt dry, and her uniform clung uncomfortably to her skin.

The boy sighed before introducing himself. "Anyway, I'm Aster. Nice to meet you. Perchance, are you an Outsider?"

"I-I'm sorry… a what?" Seele stammered, snapping her attention back to him.

Aster crossed his arms. "An Outsider. Someone who came from that deep, dark sea."

Seele's breath hitched. Deep dark sea…?

"Do you mean the Sea of Quanta?" she asked carefully.

The boy shrugged. "If that's what you call it, then yeah, I guess."

He then motioned for her to follow. "Anyway, come on. You'll die out here if you stay any longer. Let's get you to some shade."

(Go with him. Worst comes to worst, we can always kill him after we get some information out of him.)

Seele pursed her lips at her other self's casual suggestion but knew she didn't have much choice. With a deep breath, she nodded and stepped forward, following Aster into the unforgiving expanse of the desert.

The trio walked for a while, the boy glancing back occasionally to ensure Seele was keeping pace. At some point, he had shrugged off his outer body cloak, revealing light desert clothing—loose beige pants tucked into sturdy, well-worn boots and a sleeveless sand-colored tunic that allowed better airflow while protecting him from the heat. A dark scarf was loosely wrapped around his neck, and now that he was closer, Seele noticed faint scars scattered across his arms, faded by time but still visible.

"You're gonna get heatstroke if you don't cool off," Aster had stated matter-of-factly before tossing his cloak over her shoulders. Then, before she could offer a word of complaint, he moved ahead, leaving her in their current situation.

Slightly adjusting the cloak around her, Seele marveled at the difference. The fabric, despite being thick, seemed to breathe, allowing airflow that cooled her down considerably. She was still sweating, but now it was a light sheen rather than the unbearable, suffocating heat from before.

The two walked in silence for a while longer.

(Oh, for God's sake, could you just say something? This shit sucks!)

Seele fidgeted slightly before clearing her throat. "T-Thank you for the cloak," she said, stumbling over her words slightly.

Aster side-eyed her before replying, "Don't worry about it. We've got a while before we reach somewhere safe."

He walked a few more steps before pausing, turning back toward her. Seele noticed him purse his lips as though debating something. The silence stretched.

"E-Err, do you want water?" he asked abruptly, pulling out a worn waterskin and holding it out to her, a little unsure.

Seele blinked in surprise. His rough, nonchalant attitude cracked slightly in that moment, and she could almost hear her mental image of him shifting.

"S-Sure," she said, hesitantly taking the waterskin.

Taking the waterskin, she brought it to her lips, taking a cautious sip. The moment the cool liquid hit her throat, however, she realized just how parched she had been. She gulped it down greedily, only stopping when she felt the weight in her hands lighten considerably.

Realizing she had nearly drained half of it, she yelped, turning toward him with hurried apologies on her lips. But Aster simply shook his head.

"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to—"

Aster shook his head. "Keep it. I've got more."

Shifting his desert jacket aside, he revealed several more waterskins hanging from a belt at his waist. "Always carry extra. It's kind of an unspoken rule around here," he added with a small wry smile.

Before Seele could respond, she saw his eyes suddenly widen. His entire expression shifted from casual to sheer panic.

"Oh, SHI—"

In an instant, he lunged forward, grabbing her wrist and yanking her forward.

"MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!"

Seele barely had time to process what was happening before she instinctively turned her head.

KCRASH!

(WHAT HE SAID! WHAT HE SAID! MOVE YOUR ASS!)

A massive sandstorm churned behind them, a monstrous wall of golden dust swallowing the horizon.

Not needing any more encouragement, Seele spun on her heel and ran.

Adrenaline surged through Seele's veins, and she bolted after Aster. Her dress shoes sank into the shifting terrain, slowing her down, but taking them off would probably make things worse. Panting, she struggled to keep up as the howling wind grew louder.

Then, as if deciding this was the perfect time for conversation, Aster yelled, "SO, I FORGOT TO ASK, BUT WHAT'S YOUR NAME?!"

Seele— and her other self— both sputtered in disbelief.

Seele nearly tripped. 'Now?!'

"WHY ARE YOU ASKING THIS NOW?!" she shrieked over the roar of the wind.

"IT'S BEEN BOTHERING ME! AND IF WE DIE HERE, I WANT TO KNOW SO I'M NOT LEFT WONDERING!"

Seele gawked at him, part incredulous, part baffled beyond words.

"IT'S SEELE!" she finally shouted back.

Aster grinned through the sand and wind, somehow amused by the situation.

"NICE TO MEET YOU, SEAL!"

'Oh, that's why.'

A vein popped in the other Seele's forehead as she exploded.

(IT'S SEELE, YOU FUCKING DUMBAS—!)

Before she could finish, the storm finally caught up.

A violent gust of wind slammed into them, launching both of them screaming into the sky.

-O-

World Serpent Base: Africa – 1400 Hours

The sterile, metallic walls of the World Serpent laboratory reverberated with the sounds of enraged screaming and curses. Instruments clattered, vials nearly shattered, and a few unfortunate lab assistants shrank against the walls, choosing self-preservation over trying to calm the storm that was Cleo Hypatia—better known as Jackal.

Across the room, watching the spectacle with an air of amusement, was Natasha Cioara—Raven—leaning casually against a console, arms crossed. Her crimson eyes gleamed with unspoken amusement as she tilted her head at the display of barely-contained fury.

Standing beside her, the ever-stoic Gray Serpent observed the scene with his usual detached coldness, his hands folded behind his back like a statue carved from indifference.

Finally, his monotone voice cut through the chaos.

"Cleo Hypatia."

The screaming and the sound of objects being aggressively shoved off the workbenches stopped immediately. The lab assistants who had been bracing themselves for another violent outburst exhaled softly in relief.

Jackal turned sharply, her golden-eyed jackal mask giving an eerie glow under the harsh laboratory lighting. Her lab coat was slightly disheveled from her earlier rage, and her fingers were still curled into fists at her sides. Every fiber of her being screamed barely restrained violence.

Gray Serpent's tone remained as emotionless as ever. "Please collect yourself and kindly inform us what happened to your newest batch."

A muscle in Jackal's jaw twitched. She inhaled deeply, visibly forcing herself to calm down before speaking.

"That shitty dingo." The words were spat out like venom, her voice trembling with rage. "That insufferable, flea-bitten, mangy bastard located the facility containing them—mere fucking moments before the raid was supposed to commence. And not only did he sabotage everything, but he also took the time to leave a motherfucking drawing of a laughing hyena right on the console. The fat fuck knew about that base in advance and waited just to do this to me."

Jackal's fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms. Her entire body trembled with the effort to keep herself from throwing something again.

Raven's smirk widened slightly. Damn. That's some dedication to pettiness. I might actually like this guy.

Gray Serpent, unbothered by Jackal's rage, simply let out a slow, measured sigh.

"How far does this delay us?"

Jackal visibly twitched again, her breath hitching.

"Two weeks to a month." The words practically dripped with frustration. "I have to check and scrub my other facilities for any more surprises that mangy bastard might've left. If he was willing to toy with me like this, there's no telling what other traps he's set."

Gray Serpent considered this for a moment before nodding, his expression unreadable.

"Raven will shadow your work so we don't suffer any more delays."

At that, Jackal's body stiffened further, her golden eyes snapping to Raven, who simply raised a brow in response.

"Oh, great," Jackal grumbled, crossing her arms. "A babysitter."

Raven let out a dramatic sigh. "Trust me, Jackal, if I had a choice in the matter, I'd rather be anywhere else. Unlike you, I actually have things I'd rather be doing."

Her mind briefly drifted to the children she looked after in her downtime—her real priority. The idea of spending weeks watching Jackal throw tantrums while she scrubbed her facilities for hidden sabotage was already giving her a headache.

Gray Serpent ignored their exchange and turned to leave, already moving onto the next matter at hand.

As the lab door slid shut behind him, Jackal exhaled sharply, muttering under her breath.

"That damn dingo. Next time, I'm going to personally carve that smug look off his fat face."

Raven chuckled, shaking her head.

"Yeah, yeah. But admit it, Jackal—it's kind of hilarious."

Jackal shot her a sharp glare.

Raven just smirked. This was going to be an interesting couple of weeks.

[Encrypted Radio Line – Secure Frequency]

A faint static hum crackled over the encrypted channel before the voices came through, tinged with varying degrees of amusement and confusion.

"Does anyone know why Jackal's been laughing his ass off for the past hour?"

There was a moment of silence before another voice chimed in, this one sounding vaguely tired but somewhat entertained.

"Yeah, apparently, he one-upped his 'rival' Jackal of World Serpent."

A third voice joined in, more curious than anything.

"...Was that why he asked for some of the enhanced animals? I thought it was just the monthly routine check?"

There was the sound of a keyboard clicking in the background, followed by a soft hum.

"Wait, which animals did he take?"

"One moment… Checking records now." More typing followed, before the voice continued. "He took Jacob, Murray, Fugo, H.U.N.T.E.R, Mole, and… Bluey."

A brief pause. Then a confused voice responded.

"...Bluey?"

A weary sigh came through the channel, as though the speaker was already regretting what they were about to explain.

"He was visiting one of his grandkids, and Bluey happened to be the only aerial animal that could be explained hanging around a city."

A beat of silence.

"...Dare I ask what the second option was?"

There was a soft chuckle, followed by a simple, deadpan response.

"Gobji."

The line went quiet for a moment as the implications set in. Then, a slightly incredulous voice spoke up.

"…The Secretary Bird with leg enhancements?"

"Yep."

A low whistle came through the line.

"Huh. Well, thanks for the information."

"No problem."

A slight pause, then a calm sign-off.

"Courier out."

[End Transmission]

-O-

United States - Anti-Entropy Base: 1500 Hours

The sterile white lights of the Anti-Entropy research facility buzzed softly, casting a cold glow over the expansive laboratory. Multiple holographic screens flickered as lines of code streamed in real time, overlaying simulations of Honkai energy fluctuations. The hum of machinery blended seamlessly with the rhythmic clacking of Tesla's keyboard as she worked furiously on debugging a particularly stubborn algorithm.

"Tch! This damn thing keeps looping! If I have to run this diagnostic one more time, I swear I'm going to—"

"—take a hammer to it?" Einstein finished smoothly without looking up from her own terminal.

Tesla huffed, arms crossed. "Not my fault code doesn't respond to threats the way machinery does. A good whack never fails with hardware."

Einstein merely sighed. "Perhaps you should consider an approach that does not involve excessive violence toward technology."

Before Tesla could retort, the lab doors slid open with a mechanical hiss. A uniformed guard stepped inside, his boots clicking against the floor as he approached briskly.

"Dr. Tesla, Dr. Einstein," the guard said, his expression unreadable. "We've discovered something that requires your immediate attention."

Tesla didn't even glance away from her screen. "Unless the base is under attack, or Cocolia suddenly grew a conscience, I don't want to hear it."

Einstein was slightly more diplomatic. "Submit a report through the proper channels. We will review it once this cycle is complete."

The guard hesitated for only a fraction of a second before speaking again, his voice firm.

"This concerns Nagazora. Honkai energy levels have been rising—currently 19.7% higher than the previous recorded years."

Both women froze.

Tesla was the first to react. She pushed away from her desk so forcefully that her chair nearly toppled over. "What?!" she snapped, already storming toward the door. "Why the hell am I only now hearing about this?"

Einstein was more composed but no less serious. She calmly adjusted the simulation parameters to prevent errors before following behind Tesla. "How long has this been happening?"

The guard kept pace with them as they strode through the halls, his tone clipped and professional. "Five months."

Tesla's eye twitched. "Five months? And no one thought to report it sooner?"

The guard's jaw tightened. "That's the problem, Doctor. Someone was covering it up. One of Cocolia's subordinates manipulated the reports. The only reason we caught it now was due to a paperwork error—some incompetent fool got lazy and rushed their final reports to leave early for New Year's Eve. They handed the falsified documents off without double-checking them."

Tesla scoffed. "Of course it was something that stupid."

The guard continued. "What's more concerning is how we found out. A night worker—one of the cleaners—was reviewing her own paperwork when she noticed the irregularity. She thought she had made a mistake and was trying to correct it. Instead, she found records of rising Honkai energy levels that should have been flagged months ago."

Einstein's expression darkened. "A cleaner found this? Not one of the scientists? Not even the security division?"

The guard nodded. "The moment she realized what she was looking at, she reported it directly to security. That's when it reached my desk."

Tesla exhaled sharply, her fingers twitching with the need to punch something. "So, what you're telling me is: we were this close to missing a massive Honkai surge because someone thought they could shove it under a rug?"

Einstein frowned, already deep in thought. "This isn't just negligence—it's intentional. Someone wanted this information buried."

The trio reached the central data hub, where a group of Anti-Entropy analysts was already scrambling to pull up the newly uncovered files. Dozens of holographic screens flickered to life, each displaying long lists of readings, timestamps, and fluctuations of Honkai energy in Nagazora. Tesla wasted no time in shoving past the staff and slamming her hands onto the nearest console.

"Alright, listen up!" she barked. "I want every single file related to Nagazora's Honkai levels on my screen now! Someone thought they could get away with this, and I intend to personally make their lives miserable for it!"

Einstein was already scanning the data, her keen intellect sifting through numbers and patterns at an alarming speed. Then, something in the records made her pause.

"...This doesn't make sense," she murmured.

Tesla, still fuming, barely spared her a glance. "What now?"

Einstein adjusted her glasses, her blue eyes narrowing at the projections in front of her. "These fluctuations—they aren't natural. The increase is too stable to be random. It's not an anomaly; it's artificially induced."

Tesla's stomach twisted at the implications. "Are you saying someone's causing this surge?"

Einstein nodded. "It's not just a slow rise in ambient Honkai levels. There are spikes—short bursts of energy appearing at irregular intervals before stabilizing again. It's almost as if... something is testing the energy levels in controlled bursts."

The room fell into a heavy silence.

And then, Tesla muttered, "Shit."

Einstein glanced at her. "What is it?"

Tesla gritted her teeth. "The Gem of Conquest."

Einstein stiffened.

The guard paled slightly.

Tesla continued, her voice lower now, almost hesitant. "That operation. The one under Cocolia's supervision a few months ago." Her fingers tightened against the console, a rare moment of vulnerability flashing across her face before it hardened into cold fury. "We lost the Gem of Conquest during that mission."

Einstein remained silent for a moment before she spoke. "You think this is connected?"

Tesla's expression darkened. "I don't believe in coincidences, Einstein. We lose one of the Herrscher Gems under Cocolia's watch, and a few weeks later, Honkai energy starts fluctuating in Nagazora? Someone was screwing with us from the start."

Einstein pressed a hand to her chin, deep in thought. "If the Gem is involved, that means there is a deliberate effort to trigger or harness its power."

Tesla slammed her palm against the console. "And we're five months behind in stopping it."

Einstein exhaled. "We need to act now."

Tesla nodded sharply. "Agreed. Send a field team immediately. We need eyes in Nagazora—yesterday."

The analysts immediately got to work, their fingers flying across keyboards as data scrolled rapidly across the screens.

Einstein folded her arms, her voice grim. "We also need to investigate who covered this up. Someone had access to those reports and deliberately kept us in the dark. We cannot assume Cocolia was acting alone."

Tesla cracked her knuckles. "Then let's make their lives a living hell before they even get the chance to pull another stunt."

The urgency in the room escalated as the realization settled in: someone had stolen the Gem of Conquest. Someone had been tampering with Honkai energy for months. And Anti-Entropy had just caught the first glimpse of the storm brewing in Nagazora.

And they were already five months behind.

-O-

Nagazora: Time 19:30 Hours

A loud, impatient bang, bang, bang echoed through the quiet apartment hallway as Kiana continued rapping her knuckles against Akito's door. Her voice, full of urgency—and complete disregard for the neighbors—rang out:

"Come on, Akito! Open up! We're gonna be laaattteee!"

Haruto, standing beside her with his arms crossed, sighed. "You know, if you keep that up, the landlord's gonna throw a bucket of water at you."

Kiana turned to him with an exaggerated pout. "That only happened once! And besides, we're on a schedule here! The festival isn't gonna wait for us!"

She tugged at the fabric of her kimono as she shifted impatiently. It was a simple white kimono, yet elegant in its design. Soft cherry blossom embroidery decorated the sleeves and hem, giving it a delicate touch, while a deep crimson obi belt cinched her waist. Her silver-white hair had been styled into a loose bun, but a few stray strands rebelliously framed her face, emphasizing her youthful energy. A gift from Misako that she swore to treasure.

Haruto, by contrast, carried himself with a more composed air. He wore a traditional white and red yukata, modest yet refined. The red brushstroke-like patterns along the sleeves and collar added a bit of flair, but otherwise, the design was simple. The red obi belt tied securely around his waist completed the look, complementing his neatly combed black hair.

"Tch. He better not be sleeping," Kiana grumbled, placing her hands on her hips as she knocked again, this time harder.

Finally, with a click, the door swung open, revealing a very unimpressed Akito.

He stood there, dressed in a long-sleeved black and dark red yukata. The fabric was sleek, the dark hues giving him an effortlessly sharp appearance. The crimson obi belt at his waist contrasted against the black, making the entire ensemble look striking yet traditional. His short gray hair was slightly tousled, suggesting he had either just finished getting ready or had been debating whether or not to even open the door for them in the first place. His dull grey eyes flicked between Kiana and Haruto before he sighed.

"You're loud."

Kiana grinned, unfazed. "And you're slow! Now come on, we need to hurry!" Without warning, she grabbed his wrist and yanked him forward, pulling him out of the doorway.

Akito barely had time to react before he was being dragged down the hallway. "Oi—! I can walk on my own!"

Haruto, following at a much calmer pace, let out a low chuckle. "Might as well give up now, Akito. You know how she gets."

Akito shot him a deadpan look, but Haruto only shrugged in response.

Kiana, however, was already charging ahead, practically skipping with excitement. "The festival's only once a year! If we miss even a second, that's a tragedy! And we need to get there before the best food stalls sell out!"

Akito rolled his eyes, but despite his grumbling, there was a tiny hint of amusement in them.

"You just want free samples."

"And?" Kiana smirked.

Haruto shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips as he glanced toward the sky. The sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow over the cityscape, while paper lanterns were already being lit along the streets in preparation for the festival. The distant sound of traditional festival music mixed with the murmurs of people already making their way there.

Despite the usual chaos that came with following Kiana's lead, neither Akito nor Haruto would deny that—as exhausting as she could be—there was nowhere else they'd rather be than right there with her.

-O-

The walk to Nagazora Park took about ten minutes, the streets growing livelier as they neared the festival grounds. By the time they arrived, the park was already bustling with people—couples walking hand in hand, children darting between food stalls, and groups of friends laughing as they played festival games. The warm glow of paper lanterns hung overhead, casting flickering golden light over the lively scene, and the air was thick with the scent of grilled food, fresh sweets, and incense from the shrine nearby.

Kiana, naturally, wasted no time ditching them.

The moment her feet hit festival grounds, she was gone—vanishing into the crowd with a speed that almost seemed supernatural. Neither Akito nor Haruto looked particularly concerned, though. They both knew she'd either already found Mei, Airi, or Misako, or was making a beeline for the nearest food stall. Either way, she'd be fine.

Before they could follow after her, Akito abruptly grabbed Haruto's sleeve, pulling him to a stop just before the entrance.

"Heads up," Akito said, his tone casual but deliberate. "Commander, Ensign, and Officer are going to show up tomorrow. Just letting you know in advance."

Haruto blinked at him, face blank as he processed that information for a full five seconds. Then, with a deadpan voice, he asked, "Is this because of the prank Mei, Kiana, and Airi pulled on you the other day?"

Akito didn't even try to deny it. "Yes." His expression remained completely neutral, but the shameless admittance told Haruto everything he needed to know.

Haruto narrowed his eyes slightly, already wary. "And what exactly is the plan here?"

Akito smirked, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Nothing much. Just that their reactions to being drop-kicked by a fluffy animal would be fun to watch."

Haruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wait, hold on." His brows furrowed as he considered the logistics. "Can one of them even drop-kick a human?"

Akito opened his mouth to answer, paused, reconsidered, and then shrugged. "Well, one of them could. Not the three I mentioned, but one could."

Then, as if that was a perfectly normal thing to say, he turned on his heel and started walking into the festival.

Haruto stared at his retreating figure, trying to process what he had just heard before realization hit. "Hey! What do you mean by that?! Akito!"

His unanswered question echoed into the night as he hurried after him.

Haruto finally caught up with Akito three minutes later, mildly irritated but not at all surprised.

How the hell does he move like that?

Despite the festival being packed, with people crowding every stall and walkway, Akito had somehow navigated through it like a ghost—never brushing past anyone, never stopping, and never losing his pace. It was as if he instinctively knew where the gaps in the crowd would open before they did. Meanwhile, Haruto had been forced to sidestep, squeeze through, and on one occasion, awkwardly backtrack after accidentally walking straight into someone's family photo.

Not fun.

Finally within reach, Haruto placed a firm hand on Akito's shoulder, forcing him to stop. "Alright, spill it. What do you mean by drop-kicked by a fluffy animal?"

Akito glanced back at him, looking both mildly amused and completely unbothered by the question. "I meant exactly what I said."

Haruto narrowed his eyes. "And Commander, Ensign, and Officer—who, exactly, are they?"

Akito turned fully to face him, lips quirking into a smirk before finally answering. "They're dogs."

Haruto stared.

Blinked.

Processed.

Then sighed, shoulders deflating slightly. 'Of course.'

He should've expected this.

"So… you're planning to sic three dogs on them," Haruto deadpanned.

"Not sic them, exactly," Akito corrected. "Just… let them do what they do naturally."

"That being?"

A ghost of a grin formed on Akito's face. "You'll see."

Haruto wasn't sure whether to be intrigued or deeply concerned.

Instead, he changed topics. "What about Captain and Lieutenant?"

At that, Akito sighed, as if he'd just been reminded of an annoying chore. "Apparently, they're running errands for Misako and Hanzo."

Haruto raised a brow. "Misako and Hanzo?"

Akito nodded. "Yeah. Something about a 'joint operation.'"

Haruto didn't like the sound of that. Misako and Hanzo, together, meant something either really productive or absolutely terrifying—and given recent events, he was willing to bet on the latter.

"…Should I even ask what kind of errands?" Haruto muttered.

Akito shrugged. "I didn't bother. If it's important, we'll find out sooner or later."

Haruto sighed again, deciding to leave it at that. He had a feeling tonight was going to be a long night.

Still a fun one though, and from Akito's words tomorrow was going to be better.

After a short discussion, Haruto and Akito agreed to split up, both deciding to explore the festival at their own pace. There was plenty to see—food stalls, game booths, and dazzling lantern displays lining the park's walkways.

However, before they went their separate ways, Haruto turned to Akito with a skeptical look.

"…Alright, but how am I supposed to find you later?"

Because let's be honest, Akito was going to have zero trouble tracking him down. That much was a given. He had seen Akito do it far too many times to doubt that anymore. In fact, he was pretty sure Akito could hunt down anyone in their group with eerie accuracy.

'Well… maybe not Misako,' he admitted inwardly. 'But that's a question for another time.'

Akito simply pointed upwards.

Haruto frowned, glancing up—only for his expression to immediately shift into one of sheer bewilderment.

Perched in the tree above them were Scout, Spectre, and Vann, all watching them with keen, predatory eyes. That part wasn't unusual. What was unusual were the custom-made Santa hats sitting atop each of their heads.

Spectre had a standard red-and-white Santa hat, looking eerily dignified despite being, well… a bird.

Scout, on the other hand, had a color-inverted Santa hat, the deep crimson swapped for a stark white with red fur trim.

And then there was Vann.

Vann had a pure black Santa hat, giving the bird an unintentionally ominous aura—as if he were some sort of festive harbinger of doom.

Haruto slowly turned back to Akito, wordlessly demanding an explanation.

Akito, in typical fashion, responded without an ounce of emotion.

"They mugged someone."

Haruto blinked. "They what?"

"They mugged a guy who was making them," Akito elaborated with a completely straight face.

Haruto's eye twitched. "Akito—"

"In their defense," Akito interrupted, raising a finger, "the guy threw rocks at Scout and a fucking knife at Vann."

Haruto opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

Then sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

"…You know what? I don't even want to know," he muttered. "Forget I asked."

Above them, Vann adjusted his hat, looking far too pleased with himself.

-O-

After parting ways with Akito, Haruto quietly pulled out his phone, opening his notepad app.

'Another note about Akito and his… pets? Partners? Allies?'

He hesitated for a moment before shrugging.

'Eh, problem for another day.'

Tucking his phone away, he continued into the festival, his mind already shifting focus.

-O-

Meanwhile, Akito had his own destination in mind.

With Cain, his crow companion, guiding him from above, he moved toward the southern end of the park—toward Misako's location. Navigating through the crowd with practiced ease, he effortlessly avoided people, stalls, and wandering pets, his movements smooth and deliberate.

After a few minutes, he finally spotted her.

Unlike many festival-goers who wore traditional attire, Misako had opted for a three-piece suit.

The suit was a deep obsidian black, its fabric subtly reflecting the ambient festival lights. The waistcoat was a crisp charcoal grey, snug against her form, while the button-up shirt beneath was stark white, pristine and sharp.

Her jacket was tailored to perfection, subtly broadening her shoulders, accentuating a sleek silhouette. She wore a narrow black tie, neatly knotted, completing the refined ensemble.

From afar, her striking androgynous appearance could easily lead one to mistake her for a well-dressed, sharp-featured man. If Akito wasn't already familiar with her as his honorary aunt, he might have made that mistake himself.

Her silver-white hair was tied into a low, loose ponytail, a few strands framing her sharp, piercing blue eyes. A single onyx cufflink gleamed subtly against her sleeve as she absently crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on something—or someone—with an uncharacteristic look of concern.

Akito paused.

His expression didn't change, but his mind instantly shifted gears.

'Something's off.'

Letting out a quiet breath, he allowed his synesthesia to take hold.

The world shifted, colors and scents blooming into a vivid, intricate web around him. He barely paid attention to the waves of festival-goers, the rich scent of food, or the hazy glow of lanterns.

Instead, his eyes locked onto a particular color.

A familiar hue. A familiar scent.

Akito sighed softly.

Returning his vision to normal, he closed the distance to Misako, approaching silently before tapping her on the shoulder.

Misako whirled around, tense.

The sharpness in her expression immediately softened when she realized it was him.

Akito gave her a pointed look before subtly gesturing in a particular direction—the same one his synesthesia had pinpointed earlier.

"I promise to look after the group," he said, his voice calm but firm.

"Go have fun. It's been months since you two last had free time."

Misako's eyes widened slightly, her cool exterior cracking for just a moment.

Then, just as quickly, her expression returned to normal.

She gave Akito a knowing look, as if expecting something more.

Akito nodded.

Satisfied, Misako's lips curled into the faintest smile.

With one swift motion, she ruffled his hair, earning a mild huff of protest from the younger boy.

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and strode toward the direction he had pointed.

Akito watched her go before sighing.

"…Adults," he muttered.

-O-

Leaving those two… lovebirds? Idiots? Dumbasses?

Yeah, dumbasses.

That's what Hanzo had called them, and honestly? He wasn't wrong.

With that thought, Akito shook his head and turned away, making his way back into the heart of the festival.

His destination was clear.

A familiar idiot was most likely stuffing her face, and knowing her, there was only one place she'd be—the food stalls.

With his hands in his pockets, Akito navigated through the crowd with ease, stepping around excited children, distracted couples, and groups of friends laughing amongst themselves. The scent of grilled skewers, fresh takoyaki, and warm festival sweets filled the air, mixing with the lantern-lit atmosphere of the bustling park.

Then he heard it.

The screams of mercy.

Akito sighed.

'Yeah… found her.'

With a final step, he turned a corner—and immediately took in the scene unfolding before him.

Akito approached the chaos with the same energy one would have when dealing with an inevitable disaster—mild resignation and the acceptance that, at this point, there was no stopping it.

Kiana was still demolishing plates at a speed that defied human limits, and the vendors were increasingly questioning their life choices.

"How is she still eating?!" one vendor whispered in horror.

"I-I don't know…" another choked out. "I think I saw her unhinge her jaw."

That was probably an exaggeration, but given the way Kiana was vacuuming food off the plates like some sort of starving monster, Akito wasn't sure he could even argue against it.

He finally reached the group, standing beside Haruto, who was still barely containing his laughter.

Akito tilted his head slightly. "You good?"

Haruto took a second to catch his breath before nodding, still holding up his phone. "This is… this is the greatest thing I've ever witnessed."

Akito glanced at the recording and hummed. "Make sure to get the vendor's reactions. That's the real highlight here."

Haruto snorted. "Already ahead of you."

Meanwhile, Airi was absolutely reveling in this.

She was leaning against a nearby stall, arms crossed, the smug aura around her practically glowing as she watched the inevitable downfall of several hardworking vendors.

Akito raised a brow. "How'd you convince them?"

Airi didn't even try to look innocent. "Easy. I told them Kiana was 'all talk and no bite' and that she couldn't even handle a friendly eating contest."

Akito stared at her. "You're evil."

Airi grinned. "And you're just figuring this out now?"

He wasn't.

Mei, however, looked like she was five seconds away from dragging Kiana away by force.

"Kiana…" she muttered, her voice a strained mix of exasperation and disbelief.

Kiana, despite being several plates deep into the challenge, still somehow managed to hear her name and turned slightly to flash a cheeky grin.

"Can't talk—eating."

She then immediately inhaled another skewer.

One of the vendors quietly started weeping.

Akito sighed for what felt like the hundredth time tonight.

"At what point," he mused, "do we step in and save these poor people?"

Mei groaned, running a hand down her face. "Right now."

Airi, of course, disagreed.

"Oh, come on! She's almost done."

Akito gave her a flat look. "You don't actually believe that."

Airi's smirk didn't waver. "I mean, technically, she'll be 'done' when they run out of food."

That… was probably true.

But before Mei could lose her patience entirely, Akito finally took a step forward.

"Kiana."

Kiana paused mid-bite and turned her head slightly, still chewing. "Mhm?"

Akito crossed his arms. "Wrap it up. You win."

Kiana grinned victoriously and finally put down her chopsticks. "Knew it! I am the champion!"

One of the vendors let out a quiet sob of relief.

Mei exhaled, muttering a soft prayer of thanks to whatever higher being had finally ended this madness.

Haruto, still snickering to himself, stopped the recording. "That was incredible."

Airi simply looked entertained. "Best money I've never spent."

Kiana stretched, patting her stomach with satisfaction. "Alright, where to next?"

Akito raised a brow. "You're still hungry?"

"Nah." Kiana waved a hand dismissively. "Just wanna keep having fun. I mean, it's not every day we get to just relax and enjoy a festival, right?"

Watching Kiana celebrate her victory…though conquest might be a more apt term. A thought struck him.

'Did they not know?'

He tilted his head, watching as another chef collapsed to his knees, gripping the counter of his stall as if his very soul had been ripped away. His once-proud display of festival food was now an empty wasteland, the scent of freshly cooked meals lingering like the last remnants of a fallen empire.

Kiana was famous for this.

A single glance at her social media history would have warned them—half her posts were about dragging the group into whatever shenanigans she could think of, and the other half?

Restaurants she had completely and utterly destroyed.

Some of her captions weren't even subtle.

"Mission report: They ran out of meat in twenty minutes."

"They told me 'all-you-can-eat' and then called the cops. I regret nothing."

"May their kitchen recover in time for next festival. Amen."

And yet…

Here these poor vendors were.

Unprepared.

'Had they truly walked into this blind?'

"You're thinking about it, aren't you?"

Akito turned his head slightly, catching Airi's amused smirk as she came to stand beside him.

"Thinking about what?" he asked evenly.

Airi gestured lazily towards the shattered remains of the competition.

"That these people should've known better."

Akito didn't deny it.

Airi snickered. "Yeah, some of them did."

At that, she pointed to a row of stalls on the right.

Unlike the ones currently suffering, these vendors were perfectly fine.

Their food supplies remained untouched, their expressions calm, almost smug. A few of them were even watching the disaster unfold with poorly hidden amusement, while others looked on in genuine sympathy for their less fortunate colleagues.

A couple of them were outright laughing their asses off.

'So some of them did listen.'

He glanced back at Airi, who looked far too entertained by all of this.

"…And the others?" he asked.

Airi shrugged.

"Pride," she said simply, a knowing glint in her eye. "The ultimate steroid."

Akito exhaled through his nose.

Well.

He couldn't argue with that.

-O-

7:45 PM – Fireworks Booth Mishap

Airi and Kiana somehow talked Haruto into testing out a DIY fireworks launcher. It was supposed to be safe. Supposed to be.

The result? A small fire, a lot of screaming, and Akito dragging the entire group away before the vendor could demand compensation.

[Social Media Post – 7:48 PM]
AiriTheMenace: Hypothetically, if someone were to, say… accidentally set off a firework indoors, how much trouble would they be in? #AskingForAFriend

Mei'sReply: WHAT DID YOU DO?!

Haruto'sReply: WE WERE SUPPOSED TO TEST IT, NOT TURN IT INTO A WAR ZONE.

LocalFestivalEnjoyer: WHO SET OFF A FIREWORK INDOORS?!

SpicyRamen101: LMAO "hypothetically" my ass.

8:30 PM – Haunted House Incident

Some genius (read: Airi) decided that a trip to the haunted house would be a fun bonding experience.

It was not.

[Video Post – 8:32 PM]
: [A shaky, night-vision video shows Kiana sprinting out of the haunted house, screaming. Behind her, Akito is walking out calmly. Airi is doubled over laughing. Mei and Haruto? Still inside.]

KianaKaslana: That wasn't even scary. I was just… making sure the exit worked!

AiriTheMenace: Girl, you threw your popcorn at a dude in a mask and called him a demon.

Haruto'sReply: I CAN STILL HEAR AIRI LAUGHING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE.

9:15 PM – Goldfish Scooping Championship

A supposedly innocent game turned into a high-stakes competition.

Airi vs. Kiana vs. Akito.

Winner? Akito, by a landslide.

[Social Media Post – 9:20 PM]
HarutoLive: Ladies and gentlemen, behold: The Goldfish War of Nagazora!

: [Video shows Kiana and Airi furiously scooping while Akito, cool and composed, collects goldfish one after another. A slow-motion replay of Airi's net tearing apart plays, followed by her look of betrayal.]

Mei'sReply: You guys are actual children.

KianaKaslana: HE'S A CHEAT CODE.

AiriTheMenace: I DEMAND A REMATCH.

10:30 PM – The 'Friendly' Game of Darts

Haruto made the mistake of challenging Akito to a friendly dart-throwing competition.

It lasted exactly five minutes.

[Social Media Post – 10:35 PM]
AiriTheMenace: We just witnessed Haruto's ego get shattered in real time.

Haruto'sReply: AKITO, HOW DID YOU GET A BULLSEYE WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED?!

Mei'sReply: This is why I don't challenge him anymore.

11:15 PM – The Dance Pavilion

Airi pushed Mei and Kiana into a traditional dance pavilion while Haruto and Akito got dragged in by some of the festival staff.

Kiana almost tripped, Mei was elegant, Airi was having the time of her life, Haruto was actually pretty good, and Akito…

Well, Akito got third place in a dance contest he never signed up for.

[Video Post – 11:20 PM]
: [Clip of Akito looking confused as an announcer calls his name for third place. Haruto is dying laughing. Airi is screaming, "LET'S GO!" in the background.]

KianaKaslana: YOU PLANNED THIS, DIDN'T YOU?

Akito'sReply: I genuinely have no idea how this happened.

Haruto'sReply: Bro, you danced better than half the people there by accident.

[Social Media Post – 11:45 PM]
MeiRaiden: Best night in a while. Let's do it again next year. ️ #NagazoraFestival

[A group photo of the entire crew, slightly chaotic as Kiana and Airi are trying to make funny faces while Akito and Haruto look done with life. Mei, of course, looks perfect.]

Haruto'sReply: Kiana blinked mid-photo LMAO.

KianaKaslana: NOOOO DELETE IT.

AiriTheMenace: Not happening. Immortalized forever.

-O-

Misako's heels clicked softly against the ground as she walked, her steps steady but purposeful. She took a glance around the park, the lights reflecting off the cool night air, casting an almost magical glow over the scene. The laughter and chatter of festival-goers drifted to her ears, but she was focused on one person, the one person she hadn't seen in far too long. She had promised Akito to take a break, and maybe, just maybe, she could forget the weight of her responsibilities for a while.

As she reached the edge of the park, she spotted her. The woman was standing atop a hill, her silhouette framed by the dim light of the lanterns scattered around the park. Misako couldn't help but smile. The last time Akito had pointed her out, he had talked about how half the birds in Nagazora followed him around like a personal army. It still made her chuckle.

he woman standing in front of her was striking. Black hair, sleek and straight, falling past her shoulders. Her light skin seemed almost pale under the festival lights, but it didn't detract from her presence—it only highlighted it. She was dressed in a three-piece suit, tailored perfectly to her figure, and the combat boots she wore added an edge that was both practical and intimidating. She looked like someone who could tear through any obstacle, yet the way she stood, there was an ease to her, a sense of confidence that came from years of experience.

Misako's smile widened as she closed the distance between them, the memory of their last meeting still vivid in her mind.

When she was close enough, Misako stepped forward and covered her eyes with her hands, the playful gesture immediately bringing a warmth to the moment. "Guess who?"

A soft chuckle reached her ears, the sound familiar and comforting. The woman's voice was low, almost teasing. "I'll guess... Ray."

The black-haired woman turned around slowly, her smile already growing as she met Misako's gaze. Their eyes locked for a brief moment—one filled with memories of battles fought, secrets shared, and a friendship that had stood the test of time.

Then, with a swift movement, the woman closed the gap between them, her arms wrapping around Misako in a tight hug. Misako didn't hesitate to return it, her arms resting comfortably around the other woman's back as she rested her head on her shoulder.

"Hey, Ray," Misako said softly, the years of history between them tangible in her voice.

The woman gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh, content and perhaps a little relieved. "Hey, Snake."

There was something unspoken between them, a bond formed not just by the years they'd spent together but by the lives they'd led—both complicated, both full of sacrifices. In that moment, it felt like time itself had slowed down. They weren't Ray and Snake—the alias and the image they presented to the world. In this moment, they were just two old friends who had been through far too much to ever be torn apart.

Misako pulled back just a bit, looking up at the woman with an amused glint in her eyes. "I didn't think you'd actually show up."

The woman, Ray, raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips twitching into a smirk. "You should know by now I don't back out of things once I've committed." She paused, her gaze lingering on Misako for a moment before she added, "Besides, it's been way too long. I'm not letting you slip away again that easily."

Misako's smile softened, the weight of her responsibilities momentarily forgotten. "I'm glad you came."

"Well, Snake," Ray said, her voice dipping into a lighter tone, "Don't make a habit of disappearing for months at a time."

Misako chuckled. "I'll try not to, but... you know how it is."

Ray nodded, her smile slightly softening as she placed a hand on Misako's shoulder, the gentle weight of it grounding both of them in the present. "I know. Just—next time, don't make me wait this long. I don't like it when my favorite troublemaker is out of reach."

Misako laughed softly, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a while. "You haven't changed at all."

"Nope," Ray replied, her smirk widening, "I'm just getting started."

As they stood there, the world around them seemed to fade a little. In the midst of the chaos, the noise, and the laughter of the festival, there was a strange peace here—just the two of them, reunited after what felt like an eternity. No need for words, no pressure for anything more than this moment. They had each other. And that, Misako thought, was enough for now.

-O-

The night was peaceful, with the distant sounds of the festival blending with the gentle breeze that whispered through the trees. On the hill, Misako and Snake sat together on a simple wooden bench, the quiet of the park enveloping them. The world felt distant, as though time had slowed down just for them. Their conversations meandered easily, not rushing, but flowing naturally, as if no time had passed since their last meeting—despite it having been months.

Misako, leaning slightly back, turned her head toward Snake with a small smile. "So, how is the group?" she asked, her voice carrying the warmth of nostalgia and curiosity.

Snake raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in her eye. "You're going to need to be more specific on that one. Which group? The Mercenaries? The Professionals? Our Team? The Suicide Squad?"

Misako chuckled, leaning forward a little. "Let's start with our group of fools. How are they?"

Snake rolled her shoulders and let out a soft sigh, a trace of fondness in her expression. "Sloth's still a shut-in. He's enjoying his vacation from that last job we did, spending way too much time on his favorite games. Menagerie was last seen near the coast of Kuroshima—still chasing those rare creatures. Shark is... god-knows-where, probably in some hole-in-the-wall bar or lurking around somewhere. And Hanzo... well, I believe he's pulling a job with Emperor."

Misako smiled softly, the names evoking memories of their shared history—their old squad. The faces, the quirks, the moments of dumbassery and camaraderie. She was content just thinking about them.

"Speaking of the 'Professionals'," Misako said, her voice dipping into a more playful tone. "How are they?"

Snake sighed dramatically, though there was a contentment in it. "Penguin's still at his coastal home, living the high life. Chick finally got some time off, so he's finishing his last year of high school—can you believe it? Demo… well, I have no clue where he is. And I'm probably going to regret that one."

Misako grinned, recalling the chaotic yet lovable chaos that was Demo. "Well, when he appears again, it shouldn't be too hard to find him, right?"

Snake snorted, shaking her head. "Yeah, unless he's somehow destroyed another architectural monument. God help me when that happens again. I'll be the one buried under paperwork."

Misako chuckled at the thought. Demo had that particular gift of wreaking havoc in the most spectacularly annoying ways, and Snake always ended up cleaning up after him. As they shared a quiet laugh, Misako reached out and grabbed Snake's hand gently, her expression softening.

"And what about the Mercenaries and the Suicide Squad?" Misako asked, the curiosity lingering in her voice as she looked at Snake.

Snake sighed, her hand squeezing Misako's for a brief moment. "They're on a classified mission, one that's so hush-hush even I don't know all the details. So, we probably won't be seeing them for a while."

The two fell silent for a moment, the weight of the unspoken truth between them—the knowledge that their paths had diverged, each of them walking their own journey. Yet there was no sense of distance between them now, sitting together in the calm of the night.

The conversation drifted into comfortable silence, neither of them needing words to fill the space. The moment was enough. They were together, something that, even after all the missions, chaos, and changes, still felt as natural as breathing. They'd spent years side by side in the field, each one holding onto the other when things got tough.

Misako leaned back a bit, looking up at the stars that dotted the sky above them. "It's strange," she murmured. "How much time has passed. And yet, it doesn't feel like anything's changed between us."

Snake's lips curved into a small, almost affectionate smile. "I guess that's what happens when you spend enough time with someone. The world shifts around you, but some things stay the same."

"Yeah," Misako replied softly. "Some things do."

The silence stretched, but it was a comfortable one—one that spoke volumes without uttering a word. Both women sat there, side by side, content with the company of each other, reminiscing about their past, their friends, and their families. It was as though nothing else mattered in that moment. The outside world could continue its hustle and bustle, the festival could carry on, but here, on this quiet hill in Nagazora Park, it was just the two of them.

After a long while, Snake spoke again, breaking the stillness, her voice a little softer now. "You should come visit more often. I miss this. I miss... us."

Misako's smile softened, and she gave Snake's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I will. I promise. You're still one of the few people who can make me laugh even when I'm buried under all that paperwork."

Snake chuckled, the sound light and free. "Good. And I'll be waiting, as always."

The two of them sat there, the night stretching on, neither of them in any hurry to leave. It was a rare moment of peace, a reminder of everything they had been through, and everything they still had ahead of them.

Time could keep moving, but for tonight, nothing else mattered.

-O-

The air was cool and refreshing as Mei found herself standing in the middle of the bustling festival grounds, surrounded by the sounds of laughter, chatter, and music. But tonight, there was a different kind of excitement in the air—one that had her feeling a mix of anticipation and a twinge of curiosity. The New Year Countdown was about to begin.

She had been chatting away with Kiana and Airi, laughing at some random nonsense, when suddenly, she had looked up to see that Akito had disappeared without a word. The spot where he had been standing was now occupied by a small fox with pinkish ears—Rin, Akito's pet (or whatever he wanted to call them). There was a note tucked under the fox's collar that Mei immediately picked up.

"I'll meet you at the bridge before the fireworks go off. Going to look for Misako so she doesn't miss it."

Mei had felt a bit confused at first, wondering why Akito had left without even saying goodbye, but she didn't have much time to dwell on it. Kiana, being Kiana, had immediately pulled her back into the festivities, and the hours passed quickly. Still, Mei couldn't help but keep an eye out for Akito's return.

And right on cue, just moments before the fireworks were set to begin, Akito appeared once more. Mei barely had time to react before she spotted the familiar figures gliding behind him—Sceptre, Scout, and Vann, his ever-present companions. As they moved through the crowd, Mei noticed that Misako was with them too. The older woman, always a little aloof but incredibly sharp, seemed to be chatting with a black-haired woman beside her.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she observed their hands interlocked—something about the moment just struck her. She shot Akito a questioning glance, hoping to get some kind of confirmation about what was going on, and he responded with an easygoing smile. But it was the gesture that followed that really caught her attention. He mouthed a few words to her.

"Don't tell them."

Her eyebrow quirked at his request, and she glanced over at Kiana and Haruto, who were too distracted with their own conversation to notice the exchange. Mei's thoughts immediately started to race. Misako was always such a private person—so the sight of her with someone else, especially with their hands intertwined, left her wondering. Who was this person? Was she someone from Misako's past? And why was Akito asking her to keep it a secret?

Before she could dive deeper into her thoughts, the crowd around her began to quiet down as the loudspeaker overhead made the announcement: the New Year Countdown had begun.

10…
9…
8…
7…

Mei's attention snapped back to the moment, the atmosphere growing thick with excitement. The streets and skies were alive with flashing lights and the air felt electric. Everyone seemed to be looking at the sky in anticipation.

"3... 2... 1..."

The countdown reached its final seconds. The entire park fell into a brief, expectant silence, the kind that only happens during a collective moment of anticipation. And then—

BOOM!

The first firework shot up into the night sky, bursting into a cascade of vibrant color, sending light reflections over the crowd and casting shadows on the trees. The crowd erupted into cheers, clapping and shouting as the fireworks lit up the sky, one after another in brilliant patterns and hues. Mei couldn't help but smile, the moment feeling perfect in its chaotic beauty. She turned to Kiana and Haruto, her mind temporarily pushing the thoughts of Misako and Akito's cryptic message to the back of her mind.

Still, despite the spectacle unfolding above, her curiosity remained piqued. There was something about that moment, that hand-holding between Misako and the black-haired woman, that felt significant. And Akito's sudden secrecy only made it more intriguing.

But for now, she would enjoy the fireworks—her thoughts could wait until tomorrow.

The fireworks had ended, and the crowd around the park had erupted into cheers, the atmosphere full of joy and excitement as people celebrated the start of the New Year. But for Mei, the momentary bliss of the fireworks had barely managed to quell the storm of curiosity building up in her mind. Akito had disappeared once again, slipping away from the group and heading toward the far side of the park. Mei watched him, wondering what he was up to.

She'd lost herself in the music and chatter for a while, Kiana still interrogating Misako's companion with relentless enthusiasm. Mei was just about to join them when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. She turned, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Akito standing behind her. He quickly motioned for her to follow him.

Without a second thought, Mei slipped away from the group, making her way with Akito toward a quieter part of the park, where the distant glow of fireworks still shimmered in the sky.

Once they were out of earshot, Akito gave her a look that was equal parts serious and amused. "So... you saw Misako and that woman," he began, his voice low but with a teasing edge.

Mei blinked, her curiosity immediately piquing again. "What's going on with them?" She couldn't help herself. The way they'd been holding hands earlier... and the way Misako looked when she was with her? Mei had to know.

Akito sighed dramatically, raising his hands in a vague gesture that felt both dismissive and humorous. "They dated, but then, you know, took a break from each other. Typical drama. It's complicated." He seemed almost uninterested in the subject but continued, his voice taking on a playful tone. "Hanzo says they're just idiots. Honestly, they'd probably benefit if they just got shoved into a closet together and locked the door."

Mei froze, her eyes widening in realization at what he was implying. Her face exploded red as the words sank in, and the image of the two women—Misako and her companion—suddenly took on a very different, much more... intimate context in her teenage mind.

"Akito!" she sputtered, her hands flying to her cheeks in embarrassment. Her heart was pounding, and her mind was suddenly filled with flashes of awkward thoughts. The way Misako had looked at her... The way she was holding hands with that woman... Mei quickly tried to pull herself together, but it was clear she was flustered, her face burning. "W-why are you saying this to me?"

Akito just smirked, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Hey, I didn't make the rules. I'm just passing on the info. Don't shoot the messenger." He took a step back, still grinning at her. "Though, I gotta admit, it's pretty hilarious watching you turn that shade of red."

Mei scowled at him, though it was half-hearted. She was still processing what he had said, her mind whirling. "I didn't need that mental image," she muttered under her breath, her voice almost inaudible.

Akito laughed, shaking his head in mock sympathy. "Yeah, well, get used to it. That's the kind of stuff you're gonna have to deal with when you hang around us." He gave her a wink, clearly teasing. "But don't worry. Misako and Snake are just... well, idiots who take their sweet time figuring things out. You're not the only one who finds them infuriating."

Mei, still flushed, turned her attention to the park around them. The fireworks had stopped, but the night was still full of energy. People were laughing, chatting, and celebrating in the distance, but she couldn't shake the awkwardness that had settled in her chest.

"I just... I didn't expect that," Mei admitted after a moment, trying to regain her composure. "They seem so... put together, but then they're like... this?"

Akito shrugged. "Yeah, well. Everyone's got their mess, I guess." He clapped her on the back with a friendly grin. "Don't think too hard about it. Let's go back and enjoy the rest of the night."

Mei took a deep breath, her face still warm, but she forced a smile. "Alright," she said, her voice a bit strained. "But seriously, no more... embarrassing mental images, okay?"

Akito chuckled, his mischievous grin widening. "No promises."

As they walked back toward the others, Mei couldn't help but feel a little shaken. She still couldn't quite get over the idea of Misako and Snake's... relationship. But she supposed it was their business. Still, the mental image Akito had planted in her mind? Yeah, that one was going to take a while to scrub away.

And the worst part? She was certain it wasn't the last time she'd be thinking about it.

As Mei and Akito rejoined the others, Mei couldn't shake the images from her mind. The conversation with Akito about Misako and Snake... it had done something to her that she hadn't expected. And even more embarrassing was that it had sparked other thoughts—ones she was trying to avoid.

The image of a certain white-haired girl flashed into her mind, her bright smile practically burning into Mei's thoughts. Kiana. Mei had always known her to be a bit... forward, but the idea of her with that kind of smile—cheeky and mischievous—was enough to make Mei flush an even deeper red than before.

She tried to focus on the conversations around her, her fingers nervously tapping against her side, but all she could see was Kiana's face. Her laugh. Her teasing. And her smile... Mei had always found it endearing, but now?

Her stomach did an awkward little flip as she forced herself not to look at Kiana. Every time she thought of her, her heart rate seemed to pick up. Oh no, what is happening?

"Mei? You okay?" Haruto's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she turned to him, hoping her flushed face wasn't too obvious. She wasn't sure if he was buying it, though. Haruto gave her a look of concern, his expression softening.

"Y-Yeah! I'm fine!" Mei stammered, quickly trying to cover up her discomfort. She forced a smile, hoping it looked natural. But with Kiana still in her mind and the embarrassing thoughts of Misako and Snake lingering in her head, it was hard to focus.

Haruto, ever the perceptive one, gave her a knowing look but didn't push the matter. Instead, he simply nodded and turned back to join Kiana, who was still chatting with Airi and some of the other festival-goers. Mei watched them for a moment, her heart still racing. Why was she feeling like this?

She looked away quickly, her gaze catching Akito's, who was watching her with an amused smirk. He raised an eyebrow, clearly aware of her flustered state.

"You sure you're alright?" Akito asked, his voice laced with subtle teasing.

"Shut up, Akito," Mei muttered, crossing her arms, trying to brush off the heat in her face.

Akito just chuckled, obviously enjoying her discomfort, before walking away to join the others, leaving Mei to try and regain some composure. But even as she did, Kiana's smile kept flashing in her mind, making her blush even harder.

It seemed like this was going to be one of those nights where Mei would have to confront more than just the fireworks.